Blocking device for a waste container lid

ABSTRACT

Blocking device for a lid ( 4 ) on a waste container, the device ( 6 ) comprising a hook ( 1 ) the underside of which being arranged above the hinge part ( 7 ) of the lid when the lid ( 4 ) is closed, the hook ( 1 ) being arranged on an elastic bar ( 2 ) being adapted to be bent when the hinge part ( 7 ) is pressed towards the underside of the hook ( 1 ), and the upper side of the hook ( 1 ) is inclined to receive and hold the weight of the hinge part ( 7 ), however allow the hinge part ( 7 ) to pass by the hook ( 1 ) as the bar ( 2 ) is bent when the hinge part ( 7 ) is pressed against the hook ( 1).

[0001] The present invention is related to a blocking device for a wastecontainer lid.

[0002] Most waste containers are provided with lids being hinged to thecontainer body. Such the lids may be turned freely up to 270°. Assmaller containers are high and narrow and therefore relativelyunstable, this causes a well known problem, namely that the containersoverturn in wind or of other reasons resulting the content beingscattered around and tuned into a meeting place for insects and carrionbirds.

[0003] This problem is causes serious pollution problems as well asdecreasing the aesthetic value of the surroundings of the container. Apractical solution to avoid this has been to place a stone or some otherheavy subject on the container lid. This, however, means that personshave to lift the stone away before placing something in the containerand in such cases the stones not always are placed on the lid afterclosing it.

[0004] With increasing use of source separation and thereby the numberof containers as such, the problem is naturally increasing.

[0005] There exists a need for a mechanism ensuring that the lid is notblown up by the wind, however on the other hand that the lid very easilycan be opened by the users. Such a mechanism also must ensure that therequirements of the public cleansing authority completely are fulfilledin such a way that the lid is opened automatically when the wastecontainers are turned around to be emptied into the refuse collectionvehicles.

[0006] The above objects are achieved with the blocking device accordingto the present invention as defined with the features stated in theclaims.

[0007] The drawing discloses in FIG. 1 a side view from behind of oneembodiment of the blocking device according to the present invention,FIG. 2 discloses a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 3discloses a front view of the blocking device, FIG. 4 discloses a groundview of the device, FIG. 5 discloses part of a waste container includingthe device and with the lid closed, FIG. 6 discloses schematically howthe blocking device prevents the lid to open when exposed to wind, FIG.7 discloses that the lid in open position abuts the blocking device andFIG. 8 discloses an upper part of a waste container with the lid inclosed position.

[0008] The blocking device 6 according to the present inventioncomprises a hook I on a bar 2 which age is connected with the securingpart 3 for securing the device to the waste container, preferably to thehinge part 8 of the waste container 5. Preferably the hook 1, the bar 2and the secureing part 3 are integrated in one part. Furthermore thelocking device 6 according to the invention principally also may beformed as an integrated part of the waste container.

[0009] It is however substantial for the use that the blocking device 6is formed of a material which is elastic on one hand and on the otherhand is able to withstand cold weather with may degrees below zero aswell as varm weather with many degrees above zero, as well as the toughhandling such containers are exposed to.

[0010] When the lid 4 is closed as shown in FIG. 5, the blocking devicewill not influence the lid as such. However, when the lid 4 is openedjust a little, the hinging part 7 of the lid will be pressed against theunderside of the hook 1 and prevent the lid to be opened. This blockingis sufficient to prevent that the wind is opening the lid 4 and alsoprevents the lid 4 to be opened in case the waste container 5 is tippedover.

[0011] If, however, a press force in the range of 2 or 3 kg or more, isexerted against the lid 4, the bar 2 of the blocking device 6 is bentoutwardly and thereby assuring that the hinge part 7 of the lid isslipping past the hook 1, whereby the lid 4 can be opened by a userwithout problems. This also ensures on the other side that the lid 4 isopened when the waste container 5 is turned bottom up to be emptied tobe emptied in a refuse collection vehicle, as the content of thecontainer will press against the lid, causing the lid to be opened.

[0012] When the lid 4 is lifted past the blocking device 6 andthereafter is dropped, the hinging part 7 of the lid 4 will as disclosedin FIG. 7, abut against the upper side of the hook 1 of the blockingdevice 6 and be maintained in this position in such a way that a usercan drop waste down into the container,

[0013] It is further a known problem that the lid is falling 270°backwards in case the container 5 as such is not placed in front of awall. This problem is solved by the device according to the presentinvention as the lid may rest in an open position against the blockingdevice 6. The user, however, very easily can press the lid 4 downwardlyby a relatively small force.

[0014] As specially disclosed in FIG. 4, the hook 1 is bevelled in sucha way that a lid approaching the blocking device 6 will a certain speed,will bend the device and be pressed past the device until abutment onthe container 5. This also will be the case when the container is putdown after having been emptied into a refuse collection vehivle.

[0015] In case the lid is pressed downward against the hook 1 from theposition in FIG. 7, the bar 2 will be bent and let the hinge part 7 ofthe lid 4 pass, the lid 4 thereby taking the position disclosed in FIG.5.

[0016] The blocking device 6 preferably is symmetrically shaped asdisclosed especially in FIG. 4, thereby enabling the device to be placedon one or the other side or possibly on both sides of the wastecontainer 5. For larger waste containers it will be natural to use twoblocking devices 6.

[0017] The blocking device according to the invention easily can besecured to existing waste containers from different manufactures, by theuse of screws, double-sided tape, glue or such. The blocking device alsocan be formed as part of the waste container as such or as put of thelid. As such separate blocking devices can be secured to the liddepending on the specific type of waste container.

[0018] With a blocking device 6 secured at each side of the wastecontainer, it is to a very large extent secured that the plug holdingthe hinge part 7 of the lid to the hinge part of the waste container,not easily is pressed out by side forces caused by users or by the windas the devices 6 provide a locking function.

1. Blocking device for a lid (4) on a waste container, characterized inthe device (6) comprising a hook (1) the underside of which beingarranged above the hinge part (7) of the lid when the lid (4) is closed,the hook (1) being arranged on an elastic bar (2) being adapted to bebent when the hinge part (7) is pressed towards the underside of thehook (1), and that the upper side of the hook (1) is inclined to receiveand hold the weight of the hinge part (7), however allow the hinge part(7) to pass by the hook (1) as the bar (2) is bent when the hinge part(7) is pressed against the hook (1).
 2. Device according to claim 1,characterized in the blocking device (6) being adapted to be secured toa waste container (5) for example by screws, glue, rivets etc.